Campagnolo Cranks

I wouldn't mix the two. You're sure to have annoying problems in the near future. The chains alone are not compatible and you have to use a Campy BB Tool to install the Bottom Bracket.

If the price is right, you should just upgrade the whole group. It will be worth it in the long run if you plan to keep the frame a couple years longer. 🙂

thomas_cho said:

With the 2007 group being introduced, there are some bargains to be had with the 2006 group.

I am considering installing a 2006 campag crankset with my Shimano drive train. Will there be any compatibility issues?

Also with the Campag bottom bracket, can I use the same ISIS/Octalink tool to install the BB?

What is the performance of the Campag 2006 in relation to the Shimano Octalinks?

thomas_cho said:

With the 2007 group being introduced, there are some bargains to be had with the 2006 group.

I am considering installing a 2006 campag crankset with my Shimano drive train. Will there be any compatibility issues?

Also with the Campag bottom bracket, can I use the same ISIS/Octalink tool to install the BB?

What is the performance of the Campag 2006 in relation to the Shimano Octalinks?

It's a different BB tool, but if you go with full Campy, the bb tool doubles as a cassette tool.
🙄

Hahah thanks guys, good thing I checked here first.

thomas_cho said:

Hahah thanks guys, good thing I checked here first.

Honestly though Campy 10 has a different chain width and spacing may be off too. It might not be noticeable, but it could be problematic. I'll shut up now and let some folks answer that have run this kind of combo.

carbonguru said:

I wouldn't mix the two. You're sure to have annoying problems in the near future. The chains alone are not compatible and you have to use a Campy BB Tool to install the Bottom Bracket.

If the price is right, you should just upgrade the whole group. It will be worth it in the long run if you plan to keep the frame a couple years longer. 🙂

YOU CAN mix the two. A friend of mine uses a D/A chain on his full Record group and it shifts fine.
I would get the cranks.

thomas_cho said:

With the 2007 group being introduced, there are some bargains to be had with the 2006 group.

I am considering installing a 2006 campag crankset with my Shimano drive train. Will there be any compatibility issues?

Also with the Campag bottom bracket, can I use the same ISIS/Octalink tool to install the BB?

What is the performance of the Campag 2006 in relation to the Shimano Octalinks?

There isn't a compatibility issue, per se ... you may have to adjust the front derailleur's stops ... maybe, not.

The advantage of the Campagnolo RECORD cranks is one of cosmetics ...

The disadvantage is the 135BCD (Campagnolo) vs. 130BCD (Shimano) in that there are fewer replacement chainrings available for 135BCD cranks; and, you can get (if needed/wanted) a 38t 130BCD chainring.

I love the Octalink BB; but, that is a lingering fondness because I was elated when I found I could install a Shimano ROAD Octalink on an existing XTR BB that I had (the XT/LX Octalink interface is different) ... I theoretically have four spindle lengths available -- 109.5mm, 112.5mm, 116mm, 118mm -- so I could theoretically fit any crank type to any frame type.

The Campagnolo BB bearings are replaceable, but it is currently less expensive to buy a USED Campagnolo on eBay than to replace the bearings. I bought ONE bearing, and it cost about $20US. Replacing all three would have been about $60US ... a used BB would be less; and, a Chorus BB would be about the same as three new bearings. You do the math.

Some say that there is less friction/resistance with the Campagnolo ball bearings than with the Shimano bearings. A lot of the resistance in the Shimano cartridge bottom brackets is, I think, from the seal (that black plastic collar on each end).

If you are thinking of a carbon fiber crankset, then I think you may as well get a Campagnolo Ultra Torque or an FSA MegaExo carbon crankset ... these have different size ID bearings (25mm & 24mm, respectively, as I recall ... the former is compatible with the TruVativ while the latter is FSA compatible).

For conspicuous consumption, get a Stella Azzurra crank ...

BTW. A couple of years ago I got a lockring for the current Campagnolo freehub body (it fits MAVIC Campagnolo-compatible freehubs, too) which uses the Shimano cassette tool from EXCEL (Boulder, CO) ... worth the convenience if you work on BOTH types of wheels, but an extravagance.

Also, with regard to the Campagnolo cassette lockring tool, I recommend you either spend the extra money for the Campagnolo cassette tool (~$18US) or track down a LIFU cassette tool (~$5US) rather than getting the Park Tool BBT5 (?) since the Park tool is an unforged casting, whereas the other two are CroMo to the best of my knowledge. I have the Campy tool + a fractured Park tool ... I would have the LIFU variant if it were still available.

With an ALUMINUM frame, you may want/need the 111mm Chorus BB which is designed for the Campagnolo Record/Chorus triple. The chainrings may not clear the stays if you use the 102mm BB which is normally used with the double.

I say bite the bullet and get the whole 2006 Campag Group. It'll be a fresh start.

thomas_cho said:

With the 2007 group being introduced, there are some bargains to be had with the 2006 group.

I am considering installing a 2006 campag crankset with my Shimano drive train. Will there be any compatibility issues?

Also with the Campag bottom bracket, can I use the same ISIS/Octalink tool to install the BB?

What is the performance of the Campag 2006 in relation to the Shimano Octalinks?

No compatability issues with using Campagnolo crankset with Shimano, the BIG problem is that the names won't match & you will find it difficult getting people to talk to you on cafe rides. A bit like turning up with odd coloured tyres.

There is a touch of sarcasm in this post but unfortunately only a touch the rest is true 😠

There was a big article last month about the efficiency of the now old Campy square taper bottom versus the new O/S bearing systems & the fact that you need to pay another 100USD to upgrade the bearing to anything close to the performance of the older systems.

From my own observations if you are big gear matching monster who rides in 54x11 all day go with O/S bearing if you are a smooth spinner stay with square taper.

Thanks all.

I have to say that initially I could not think of a reason why the Campag cranks would be incompatible with the Shimano chain, the difference in width is 0.x mm ...

The only reason for changing cranks is because I have a compact, and want to move this to my commute bike, and so I wanted to put a new crank on my road bike.

Need to think through the cost of doing so ...

[quote="caferacerwanabe"]No compatability issues with using Campagnolo crankset with Shimano, the BIG problem is that the names won't match & you will find it difficult getting people to talk to you on cafe rides. A bit like turning up with odd coloured tyres.

There is a touch of sarcasm in this post but unfortunately only a touch the rest is true 😠
QUOTE]


This may be true, if you ride with a bunch of soft-ass gear-head weenies. If you beat them all, they will complement you in your bike!